Policies

River School Nondiscrimination Policy

Adopted by Board October 17, 2007

            River School will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age or disability in admission of students or any other administration of its policies or programs,   and will provide to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to the students of the school.

            River School will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

River School Records Policy

Adopted by Board October 17, 2007

It is the intent of this policy to make sure River School student records are accurate and complete, and are available to those legally entitled to view them, and to no one else.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ("FERPA") provides certain rights to parents and students with respect to the student's education records. If there is a conflict between this policy and FERPA, the provisions of FERPA are binding.

I.   INSPECTION OF RECORDS

Parents and students may inspect and review the student's education records within 5 days of making a request. Such requests must be submitted to the Director in writing, if so requested by the Director. Parents and students may have copies of the records for the actual cost of copying.

II.   AMENDMENT OF RECORDS

Parents and students may ask River School to amend education records they believe are inaccurate, misleading or in violation of the student's right to privacy.     Such requests must be submitted to the Director in writing, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.   If the Director decides not to amend the record as requested, the parent or student will be notified of the decision, their right to request a hearing, and information about the hearing procedure.

III.   DISCLOSURE OF RECORDS

River School must obtain a parent or student's written consent prior to disclosure of personally identifiable information in education records except in circumstances permitted by FERPA or other applicable laws. For example, we may disclose records if ordered to do so by a court, or if a school to which you are applying requests them.

IV.   DIRECTORY INFORMATION

River School designates the following student information as directory information that may be made public at its discretion: name, dates of attendance in the school, honors and awards received, and photographs and videos relating to school attendance and participation in school activities. Parents and students who do not want River School to disclose directory information must notify the Director in writing by September 15th or within thirty (30) days of enrollment, whichever is later.

V.   MILITARY RECRUITERS/INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Military recruiters and institutions of higher education are entitled to receive the names, addresses and telephone numbers of students who have authorized this disclosure in writing.

VI.   SCHOOL OFFICIALS WITH LEGITIMATE EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS

Education records may be disclosed to River School officials with a "legitimate educational interest."   A school official has a legitimate educational interest if he/she needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his/her professional responsibility.   School officials include persons employed by River School as an administrator, supervisor, instructor, or support staff member (including health or medical staff); and students serving on an official committee (such as a disciplinary or admissions.) Educational records will be supplied to the River School Board of Directors if a student or parent is appealing a decision of the Director.

VII.   OTHER SCHOOLS

To the extent required by law, or upon the request of a parent or student, River School will send student education records to a school to which

a student applies for transfer, including disciplinary records, attendance records, special education records, and health records (except confidential health records for which consent for dissemination has not been obtained).

VIII. CARE AND PRESERVATION OF RECORDS

Education records shall be kept in a locked, fireproof file in the school office at the River School premises. A record shall be kept of those viewing the files, including the name of the viewer, date viewed, and name of student whose file is viewed.

Electronic copies of the records shall be kept by the office manager in a protected computer file, a secure backup for which is kept at a different physical address approved by the Director.

In the event of the dissolution of River School, educational records shall be transferred to the care of Maine School Administrative District 34, or its successor.

River School Conflict of Interest Policy

Adopted by Board October 17, 2007

Article I

Purpose

The purpose of the conflict of interest policy is to protect River School's interest when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an officer or director of the Organization or might result in a possible excess benefit transaction. This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable state and federal laws governing conflict of interest applicable to nonprofit and charitable organizations.

Article II

Definitions

1. Interested Person

Any director, principal officer, or member of a committee with governing board delegated powers, who has a direct or indirect financial interest, as defined below, is an interested person.

2. Financial Interest

A person has a financial interest if the person has, directly or indirectly, through business, investment, or family:

a. An ownership or investment interest in any entity with which the Organization has a transaction or arrangement,

b. A compensation arrangement with the Organization or with any entity or individual with which the Organization has a transaction or arrangement, or

c. A potential ownership or investment interest in, or compensation arrangement with, any entity or individual with which the Organization is negotiating a transaction or arrangement.

Compensation includes direct and indirect remuneration as well as gifts or favors that are not insubstantial.

A financial interest is not necessarily a conflict of interest. Under Article III, Section 2, a person who has a financial interest may have a conflict of interest only if the appropriate governing board or committee decides that a conflict of interest exists.

d. In this policy, "Organization" means River School.

Article III

Procedures

1. Duty to Disclose

In connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the directors and members of committees with governing board delegated powers considering the proposed transaction or arrangement.

2. Determining Whether a Conflict of Interest Exists

After disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, he/she shall leave the governing board or committee meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining board or committee members shall decide if a conflict of interest exists.

3. Procedures for Addressing the Conflict of Interest

a. An interested person may make a presentation at the governing board or committee meeting, but after the presentation, he/she shall leave the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote on, the transaction or arrangement involving the possible conflict of interest.

b. The chairperson of the governing board or committee shall, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement.

c. After exercising due diligence, the governing board or committee shall determine whether the Organization can obtain with reasonable efforts a more advantageous transaction or arrangement from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest.

d. If a more advantageous transaction or arrangement is not reasonably possible under circumstances not producing a conflict of interest, the governing board or committee shall determine by a majority vote of the disinterested directors whether the transaction or arrangement is in the Organization's best interest, for its own benefit, and whether it is fair and reasonable. In conformity with the above determination it shall make its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement.

4. Violations of the Conflicts of Interest Policy

a. If the governing board or committee has reasonable cause to believe a member has failed to disclose actual or possible conflicts of interest, it shall inform the member of the basis for such belief and afford the member an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose.

b. If, after hearing the member's response and after making further investigation as warranted by the circumstances, the governing board or committee determines the member has failed to disclose an actual or possible conflict of interest, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action.

Article IV

Records of Proceedings

The minutes of the governing board and all committees with board delegated powers shall contain:

a. The names of the persons who disclosed or otherwise were found to have a financial interest in connection with an actual or possible conflict of interest, the nature of the financial interest, any action taken to determine whether a conflict of interest was present, and the governing board's or committee's decision as to whether a conflict of interest in fact existed.

b. The names of the persons who were present for discussions and votes relating to the transaction or arrangement, the content of the discussion, including any alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement, and a record of any votes taken in connection with the proceedings.

Article V

Compensation

a. A voting member of the governing board who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Organization for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member's compensation.

b. A voting member of any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Organization for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member's compensation.

c. No voting member of the governing board or any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Organization, either individually or collectively, is prohibited from providing information to any committee regarding compensation.

Article VI

Reviews

At the request of the Board of Directors, or a request in writing by five or more members of River School as defined in the bylaws of River School, the Board Chair shall appoint a committee of at least three disinterested persons, acceptable to all members, to consider if this policy has been violated. This committee's determination shall be presented in writing to the Board Chair and to all members of the Organization.

River School Immunization Policy

Adopted by Board October 17, 2007

            The goals of this policy are to help protect your child and all children attending school against disease, and comply with legal requirements of the State Of Maine. For additional information, contact your child's health care provider.

            Students entering River School are expected to show proof of vaccinations by providing the school with a record showing at least the following:

The student's name and date of birth

A minimum of:

1. Five DTP (4 DTP if 4th is given on or after 4th birthday)

2. Four Polio (3 Polio is 3rd is given on or after 4th birthday)

3. Two MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)

4. One of the following:

a. A note from the student's physician stating that your child has had chickenpox.

b. Documentation that your child has had the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine.

c. Results of a blood test that shows your child is immune to chickenpox.

            Exceptions: The immunization requirements of this policy are waived if either of the following is provided to the school:

-A signed parental/guardian waiver form or letter, that indicates your sincere religious belief or philosophical reason for not immunizing your child.

or

-A letter from your child's healthcare provider explaining the medical reason for not getting immunized.

Expectations For River School Overnight Travel

As Adopted At September 2007 Board Meeting

In order that students, parents, teachers and other chaperones on overnight trips will have a framework to follow, and that everyone will know what to expect, I propose the following guidelines. They are an attempt to find a consensus, and balance individual freedom with responsibility to others, and the River School and larger communities.

1. No one may use or possess illegal drugs or alcohol at school or on any school trip or activity.

2. Students may sleep in groups, in individual bedding, if an adult chaperone is present. All are expected to abstain from sexual activity, and it is the responsibility of the adult(s) present to see that this guideline is followed.

3. Tolerance of "public display of affection" between students is to be regulated by consensus among students and adults present.

4. These guidelines may be altered for a specific trip if all parents, students and teachers know and agree to the alteration, and no illegal actions are allowed.